Tory aides arrested over bashing of gay adviser

Two Conservative Party aides have been arrested over an alleged attack on a gay policy adviser.

Chris Carter, 27, was beaten and kicked outside a Westminster bar just metres from Parliament, The Times reported. Matt Eaton and Charles Ranson, both of whom worked for front-bench Conservative spokesmen, were arrested.

Scotland Yard confirmed two men had been released on police bail following a "homophobic motivated attack" in July.

The Tory chief whip was apparently informed of the incident.

Eaton, 27, was an assistant to Bernard Jenkin, the shadow defence secretary, while Ranson worked for Tory arts and tourism spokesman Malcolm Moss.

Mr Moss told The Times he knew "nothing about this at all" but said Ranson told him he would not be returning to work because he was resuming his studies. Conservative Central Office had no comment.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "Four men were arrested in connection with a homophobic motivated assault on Victoria Street, SW1 (central London) at 1.30am on 18 July. . . Two are on police bail. Man A will return to Paddington police station on November 20, Man B on November 22."